Here’s a pretty common scenario: You’ve been working with a staffing agency for a while at a variety of assignments – a week here, a month there – and nothing seems to stick. What needs to change so that you can make that leap from temporary employment to getting hired on permanently?
There’s a wide variety of things you can do to make yourself more viable as a permanent employee, but here are the essentials!
Let Your Staffing Agency Know
Here’s something most staffing agencies would admit to: We don’t just assume everyone is looking for permanent full-time employment; some people have different priorities or responsibilities and the flexibility of temporary employment is a real advantage.
Not every job offers the possibility of getting hired on, and if we don’t know it’s a priority for you, we won’t know to place you in the ones that do. So, when you have an idea of your potential career plans, be sure to share that with the staffing agency you are working with.
Look and Act Professional
Know the dress code – don’t dress too casually but also don’t overdress, it’s about fitting into the company’s culture. Depending on the job, you may be required to bring certain items – don’t get turned away just because you forgot your gloves. Follow all employment policies and listen attentively to your supervisors, not paying attention and failing to follow simple directions can be a real deal breaker. And remember to smile and be friendly! A positive attitude goes a long way – after all, they won’t be inclined to hire you if they don’t enjoy your company.
More Than Just Punctuality, Dependability
Not only you should you show up every day on time, you should be willing to come in a little early and stay a little late if need be. Pick up some extra slack where you see it’s needed, be a team player with everyone you meet, show flexibility and learn new skills if necessary – in the end, you want to show your supervisors and coworkers you’re not only reliable but indispensable.
Be Patient and Build Trust
These companies want to see that you’re in it for the long haul, so take advantage of your time there to treat your assignment for what it really is: an extended interview. Don’t jump the gun and start asking about permanent employment from the get-go – that should come near the end of your assignment after you’ve let your work ethic speak for itself.
In the meantime, learn as much as you can about the company and the job you’re doing. Instead of keeping your head down and counting down the days until your assignment is over, invest in friendly relationships with your coworkers – even if you do leave it’s always good to network for references. Think of it like a self-fulfilling prophecy: if you treat the job like it’s already permanent, it’s a lot more likely it will be.
Get Connected
If you’d like to learn more about working with a Milwaukee staffing agency, we’d love to connect with you. Just fill out this quick form and we’ll set up a time to chat.
You can also check out some of our most popular resources below.